JAMES RIVER COACH, WRESTLERS HAVE COME A LONG WAY

                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: THURSDAY, January 16, 1992                   TAG: 9201170398
SECTION: NEIGHBORS                    PAGE: S-10   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: BOB McLELLAND CORRESPONDENT
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium
JAMES RIVER COACH, WRESTLERS HAVE COME A LONG WAY
Otis Timberlake says he knew little about the sport eight years ago when he became wrestling coach at James River High School.
"All I knew about wrestling when I got here from Lord Botetourt was that I had kept score at home and I drove the bus on trips," Timberlake said.
"I got a book and started reading, and I watched all the more experienced coaches when we had a match. But we have had some good kids here, and I think we have managed to do all right."
All right might be an understatement for Timberlake, who guided the James River Team to the Group A Pioneer District and Region titles last season and has always produced tough and winning teams in his eight years at James River.
This year's squad might be even better than his championship team of 1990-91. The Knights are 10-1-1 and boast three undefeated wrestlers, including one who is defending regional champion. James River is favored to repeat as the district and regional winner and hopes to do better in the state tourney.
Timberlake says he would like to be invited to future Big Orange tournaments at William Byrd.
Speaking of the Big Orange, this past weekend was regarded as the best talent-wise in history of the 16-year event. Franklin County walked off with its sixth title, the past five in a row. But it was a disaster for four former undefeated Metro wrestlers. Dropping from their unbeaten ranks are Glenvar junior Jason Porter at 152, Franklin junior Thomas Simmons (145), and Botetourt senior Brian Anderson (152) and junior Dan Sell (125).
The losses could have been even more if three other Metro entries had not missed the Big Orange with injuries - Frankin heavyweight junior Ricky Young, Cave Spring's Ryan Taylor (189), Glenvar's Ryan O'Malley (160). But four others won titles and increased their unbeaten marks by four matches - Salem's Luqman Wade, Fleming's Keno Shepherd, and Glenvar's Brandon Semones.
Meanwhile, North Cross senior Steve Harman (160) bettered his record by three as the Raiders won two and lost in the finals at the St. Anne Belfield tourney at Charlottesville.

NOTE: See microfilm for statistics.

by Archana Subramaniam by CNB